Fences and walls in Corning: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Corning Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Corning's code says

Corning code What Corning's code adds
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet high. Applies: Fences and screen plantings in front yards. On a corner lot, the front yard is the area between the front door and the property line. § 17.50.150 · code text Fences and screen plantings shall not exceed four feet in front yards nor six feet in height in any required rear and side yard, unless specifically required by this chapter or except as provided in this section.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet high. Applies: Fences and screen plantings in any required rear or side yard. § 17.50.150 · code text Fences and screen plantings shall not exceed four feet in front yards nor six feet in height in any required rear and side yard, unless specifically required by this chapter or except as provided in this section.
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required before building a fence. Applies: All fences, except repair or rebuilding of a damaged fence with similar materials, same size and same location. § 17.50.150 · code text No fence shall be constructed prior to obtaining a building permit, as provided for in Title 15 of the Corning Municipal Code, except in the case of a previously existing fence which was damaged or destroyed and which is reconstructed or repaired using similar materials of the same dimensions and location as the original fence.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Corning?

Fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in rear and side yards; new fences need a building permit.

Fences and walls in Corning

Key points

What Corning's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Corning property

More on building on your lot in Corning